Path of Exile Leveling Guide: Getting Ready for Synthesis Expansion

Heavily based on Blizzard's Diablo II, Path of Exile can be fairly difficult and complex, but its core principles are the same. Characters level up by gaining experience through completing quests and defeating enemies, developing their abilities, and earning newer and more powerful gear. There are a few easy tricks that can help understand how to level up most efficiently. 

• Choose reliable skills to see you through to endgame, rather than try to develop your final build from the get-go
• Loot efficiently; a lot of loot isn't worth space in your inventory. Jewellery and accessories are normally worth holding on to in case they come together for a neat combination, but otherwise, save space for items that have actual sale value.
• Keep stocked on Scrolls of Wisdom and Portal Scrolls. Orbs of Transmutation are useful as trade fodder to get these scrolls from vendors
• Prioritize items with links, especially 3-link or 4-link items
• Farm gems, with alternate characters if needed. Using different classes to quickly complete early-game quests and then transferring them to your primary character (known as muling) will quickly stockpile gems needed to rank up quickly